Though it arises from an unlikely scenario, gonzowill's baseball argument reveals a bigger question facing the Mets and Daniel Murphy. Murphy should overtake Jacobs for the first base gig, but for how long? Patience is not a virtue to Murphy's detractors. After the failed left field experiment, aborted second base experiment, David Wright's stability, and Jason Bay's arrival, the Mets closed up any open positions where Murphy might play. With Ike Davis is maybe a year away from debuting in Flushing, where does Murphy fit in down the road?

Just for kicks, here's a few notable projected numbers for Daniel Murphy in 2010:

Cleary, the projection systems expect no surprises. Bill James's system presumably factors Murphy's Major League inexperience against him, which would leave room for a true platoon partner or replacement cutting into the plate appearances. Both CHONE and Marcel predict a higher home run total not helping his slugging total, meaning Murphy mutates into a one-dimensional slugger. It's serviceable, but nothing exceptionable.

More importantly, it's replaceable at first base. Murphy's career track of being the next Dave Magadan, Ty Wigginton, or anonymous Major League journeyman takes shape over 2010. Whether the Mets will keep Murph around long enough to see which road he travels is another question.

It's too early to know. It's never too early to root.------Around the Web